1Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, who was a priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how Yahweh had brought Israel out of Egypt.
2Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, whom Moses had sent away earlier,
3and her two sons. The name of one son was Gershom, because Moses had said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.”
4The other son was named Eliezer, because, as Moses said, “My father’s God was my help and saved me from the Pharaoh’s sword.”
5Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with Moses’ sons and wife to Moses in the wilderness, where Moses was camped at the Mountain of God.
6He sent a message to Moses saying, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”
7Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. They asked each other how they were doing, and then went into the tent.
8Moses told his father-in-law everything Yahweh had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians to help Israel. He also told him about all the difficulties they faced on their journey and how Yahweh rescued them.
9Jethro was happy about all the good things Yahweh had done for Israel, especially that he had rescued them from the Egyptians.
10Jethro said, "Praise Yahweh, who rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. He rescued the people from the power of the Egyptians.
11Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all other gods, because of how they arrogantly treated his people."
12Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices for God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law before God.
13The next day, Moses sat down to settle disputes among the people. The people stood around Moses from morning until evening.
14When Moses’ father-in-law saw everything Moses was doing for the people, he asked, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone while all the people stand around you from morning until evening?"
15Moses answered his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to ask for guidance from God.
16When they have a problem, they come to me, and I judge between one person and another. I teach them God’s commands and his laws."
17Moses’ father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good.
18You and the people with you will surely wear yourselves out. This task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it by yourself.
19Now listen to my advice. I will give you counsel, and may God be with you. You should be the people’s representative before God, and bring their cases to God.
20You must teach them God's commands and laws, and show them the way they should live and the work they should do.
21Also, choose capable men from all the people who respect God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain. Appoint them as leaders over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
22They should judge the people all the time. They should bring every major issue to you, but they can judge every minor issue themselves. This will make it easier for you, and they will share the burden with you.
23If you do this, and God commands you to, then you will be able to endure, and all these people will also go home in peace."
24So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.
25Moses chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people: commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
26These men served as judges for the people at all times. They brought the difficult cases to Moses, but they handled all the minor issues themselves.
27Moses said goodbye to his father-in-law, who then returned to his own land.